5 Tricks for Coming Up with a Great Thesis Statement

Students always struggle with thesis statements – but no more! Instead of stressing over a thesis statement for hours upon hours, just try out one of these tried-and-true techniques, guarantees to improve your thesis-development skills!

Brainstorm with friends. Sometimes, the best ideas pop up when you’re just sitting around with pals talking about nothing. The problem is, most people don’t give these creative conversations enough credit. Sit around and talk with your friend about possible thesis ideas. Odds are, they’re struggling with crafting one as well, and will appreciate the help. Write down any good questions or ideas that float around. This will not only help you, but your classmates as well! After all, several minds are better than one!

Review other theses. We pull from what we know, and if we expand our exposure to different theses, we’ll be able to craft more ourselves. Review other theses and documents in the same field as your own. What are the hot topics? What kinds of questions are the experts asking? By studying the important focuses in these sources, you can select a better thesis statement for yourself – a thesis statement reflective of the important issues in the field.

Make a list. Our brains are always working. Throughout a single day, thousands upon thousands of ideas, questions and concerns will pass through our heads. This is a wellspring of possible thesis ideas that, for some reason, people aren’t tapping into! You, however, can change that. Keep a list or notebook with you where you can jot down ideas and questions as they pop into your head. Later, address these notes again. Which ones seem the most interesting? Which ones could have validity as a thesis statement? Provide yourself with options sparked from your own imagination, and you’re more likely to select a great thesis statement.

Ask questions that you would like to know the answer too. It’s always better if you pick a thesis that interests you. At the same time, you’ll almost always produce better results in a paper when you select a thesis that truly intrigues you. For example, have you wondered, at length, about why gender roles are different in different countries? If the thesis question or statement is something that honestly entices your curiosity, it’s likely to be pretty successful come grading time.

Read within the field. It’s hardest to come up with a thesis statement when you don’t truly understand the topic. To create authentic, inspiring thesis statements, study within the field. Find interesting topics, studies, experiments or papers. Expand your knowledge, and you’ll also expand your ability to develop captivating, unique thesis statements.